CLAYCOMO, Mo. -- Union workers, environmentalists and auto workers were on hand Wednesday for the unveiling of Ford's new hybrid sport utility vehicle, the Escape (pictured, left).

The design, which took about five years to develop, will start rolling off the assembly line Thursday, according to United Auto Workers member Mike Perry.

The SUV is a cleaner kind of car that can go 75 percent further on a gallon of gasoline -- adding up to more than 400 miles on one tank, according to Ford. And the automaker says the vehicle retains a powerful, 6-cylinder-like acceleration.

Even environmentalists are raving about the new Escape.

"I think it's an understatement to say we've been critical of actions -- and the lack of actions -- by the U.S. auto industry. But today, you got to give credit where credit is due," said Dave Hamilton, a representative of the Sierra Club.

The vehicle is made exclusively at the Ford plant in Claycomo by roughly 5,600 union workers. It is the only hybrid SUV manufactured in the United States, KMBC's Emily Aylward reported.

On Thursday, Ford's president and Missouri Gov. Bob Holden will launch the new SUV.

On The Net:

Ford Escape